Page 133 of Not A Whisper

Trip doesn’t answer right away. He searches the room, probably for the others. I watch as his jaw ticks. Is he really not worried? He has to be. It’s been at least forty-five minutes since either of us saw Jason. I open my mouth to push the issue, but I don’t need to. Trip sighs loudly.

“Fine, as long as you go find Grant.”

“Deal.”

I let go of Trip’s arm and watch as he moves around the perimeter of the room. When he’s out of sight I place my empty glass down and move in the opposite direction. My eyes roam over the crowd in search of Grant.

Twenty minutesand five conversations later, I’m still on my own.

Where are my guys? Even Trip seems to have gone MIA. At this point, I’m beginning to wonder if this is one of their cruel pranks to see how long I can last before going stir crazy.Stopping at the edge of the dance floor on the far side of the room where there aren’t too many people, I scan the crowd.

So much for keeping me company all night.

Do any of them have their phone on them? My clutch is back at the table, in it, my phone. Maybe it’s time to make a call, or at the very least shoot them a text.

“Having fun?” a voice asks from behind me.

Oh shit.

It takes everything in me not to stiffen and to keep my face from twisting into annoyance as Garry comes to stand beside me. He stops so close that our shoulders nearly brush. Is he doing this as nonverbal signaling to the others around us to show our familiarity to one another? Or is this to intimidate me? Either way, I’m not a fan of the proximity.

Garry nods to some people nearby, shooting a smile to others. “I have to give it to you, Briella, you’ve held your own quite well tonight.”

How is it that his very aura feels toxic?

“I’m not sure I need your praise, but thank you all the same.”

Garry chuckles. “Well, then you probably won’t like what I have to say next.”

“Then maybe don’t say anything?” I know my hope is in vain, but a girl has to try.

Finally, I catch sight of Grant. He’s standing on the far side of the room, speaking with three older looking men. He’s smiling and nodding, deep in conversation. There’s one of my guys. Now, where are the other two?

“Grant learned everything he knows from me,” Garry says, his voice pitching low. “I do believe that he has the know-how and maybe even the suave to see his plan through. However, I don’t think he would’ve ever deviated from my original path if it hadn’t been for you. Given how headstrong and clever myson is, you must be quite a magnificent woman to have managed to plant your own influence into his ear.”

A server comes over carrying a tray with two drinks. The young man gives us both a polite smile as he comes to a stop and offers them to us. Garry gives the young man a nod of thanks, taking both flutes of champagne off the tray, and handing me one. I take it gratefully.

What’s one more drink? Especially now that I have to deal with my father-in-law.

“It’s kind of sad how little you know of your son and of his motivations.” I shoot Garry a frown. “From my very first encounter with your son I’ve known Grant has had some grand ambitions which included going his own way. This has absolutely nothing to do with me and everything to do with you. You’ve driven your own son away, can’t you see that?”

By murdering your wife and brother, destroying people’s livelihoods, bullying… The list goes on.Judging by the hard press of his mouth, he doesn’t see this though.

I try a different approach. “What would my motivation be to push Grant to do his own thing? He’s quite young. Most of those looking to invest in a company would probably want someone with more experience under their belt, right? He’s just now building partnerships that may not go anywhere and you, more than me, understand the risks of fighting a monopoly. It’ll be hard and it’ll take years for Grant to make a dent in the world you’ve created here in Groveton. The risk of failing is enormous.” I turn my body toward Garry, who mirrors the move. His brow raises with interest. “If it was money or power that I wanted from my relationship with your son, I’d try to talk him into workingwithyou. But I don’t want or need that. I’m happy where I am at the library and,despiteyour efforts, I’m not going anywhere.”

His mouth twitches into a tight smile. The condescendingsmirk that comes and goes before anyone else can see it, makes me want to throttle him. Garry doesn’t take me seriously. That much is clear. Will it always be like this? The pleasantries and fake smiles in public, only to spar under our breaths? God, how exhausting. I hope Grant and the others don’t think I’ll actually put up with this for very long.

I take a deep swig of the delicious champagne. At least they serve the good stuff here.

“So, if it’s not money or power, are you going to tell me you love my son?” Garry asks pleasantly.

His question takes me by surprise, and I nearly spit my drink out. As it is, the champagne goes down the wrong pipe and I cough and sputter.

Garry chuckles. “No, I didn’t think so.”

I glare at him as I compose myself. “Is having feelings for your son so hard to believe? Maybe it is for you,” I answer my own question. “All you love is yourself and your money. What a shame to have your life be so empty.”

“Empty?” Garry raises his glass to indicate around the room. “These people adore me.”

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